Rs 200 cr revival scheme for flood affected Assam farm sector

"The farm sector has suffered huge loss. During the current third wave of flood this year, 3.28 lakh hectare of cultivated land has been affected," Assam Agriculture Minister Nilamoni Sen Deka told reporters.

He said the government has formulated special programme which will cost around Rs 200 crore for helping the agriculture sector and funds for it will come both from the Centre and the state government.

"To make up for the loss, the government has framed a policy which will provide assistance to 11.83 lakh people and will cover 4.10 lakh hectares.

"Under this we will provide seeds of mustard, potato, paddy hybrid, paddy HYV and other crops for both Rabi and Kharif cropping. Fertilisers would also be supplied to the farmers," Deka said.

Besides supply of seeds, the scheme will also entail 50 per cent subsidy for farmers to buy tractors and power tillers.

"Both for the flood-affected farmers and those who were affected by the recent violence in lower Assam, the scheme will provide free sowing of farm land twice by the government bodies," Deka said.

He said leaves of all agriculture department officers have been cancelled for next two months till the time of Rabi sowing to make up for the loss of Kharif crop due to flood.

"While final assessment is awaited, as per preliminary study we can conclude that crops in three lakh hectares have been totally washed away," the minister said.